Wonderfully helpful answers, mdfriend. Very thorough and well-worded, I'm glad this information is in all place for future searchings!
The only two cents I can contribute is- I have a list of the neighbors with multiple premium decorations + Springfield sign to tell me who to start off with. I go through them first and then go through the towns with just the Springfield sign, and then go through everyone else. My last tap is usually like $700 or something. I'm plenty happy with that.